Characterization of the key aroma compounds in beef extract using aroma extract dilution analysis

•Seven aroma-active compounds were detected from beef extract by the AEDA method.•Four compounds were suggested as key contributors to the aroma of beef extract.•Aroma recombination, addition, and omission experiments revealed each aroma profile.•Comparison of aroma recombination mixture and beef extract showed a high similarity.

Aroma extract dilution analysis (AEDA) of an ether extract prepared from beef extract (BE) and subsequent identification experiments led to the determination of seven aroma-active compounds in the flavor dilution (FD) factor range of 32–128. Omission experiments to select the most aroma-active compounds from the seven aroma compounds suggested that 2,3,5-trimethyl pyrazine, 1-octen-3-ol, 3-methylbutanoic acid, and 4-hydroxy-2,5-dimethyl-3(2H)-furanone were the main active compounds contributing to the aroma of BE. Aroma recombination, addition, and omission experiments of the four aroma compounds in taste-reconstituted BE showed that each compound had an individual aroma profile. A comparison of the overall aroma between this recombination mixture and BE showed a high similarity, suggesting that the key aroma compounds had been identified successfully.